Exploring Different Techniques: The Ultimate Guide to Therapeutic Massage
The instinct to touch, soothe, and rub is a universal one. We all reach out to caress a baby or comfort a friend in pain.
Massage is a natural way to support wellness and offers many health benefits. This comprehensive guide to therapeutic massage techniques covers a variety of methods and benefits.
Deep Tissue Massage
Motion massage can be very soothing and gentle. They often include music, soft brushing of the hands, or kneading a tired back, especially by someone you love. They can also be firm enough to reposition an injured joint or even break up small muscle habits that cause pain.
Deep tissue massage uses slow strokes and pressure to reach the deeper muscles, tendons, and fascia layers. This more advanced technique aims to realign these structures, which can be tense due to chronic problems such as a stiff neck and upper back, lower back pain, or sore shoulders.
Because it is a more aggressive technique, deep tissue massage can be uncomfortable or even painful for some people. Minehan says to communicate with the therapist, as the pressure should never be so intense that it feels like it is going to damage the tissue. Also, people who have blood clots should avoid this type of massage as it can dislodge them and be dangerous.
Reflexology
Reflexology, or zone therapy, applies pressure to specific points in your feet, hands, or ears. Practitioners believe that these areas correspond to organs and body systems.
In one uncontrolled study, people who received reflexology had a 43 percent reduction in pain from musculoskeletal problems and a 36 percent reduction in nerve pain. It’s considered safe for most healthy adults.
Before the session begins, a practitioner asks detailed questions about your health and lifestyle and may examine your feet. They’ll use thumb, finger, and hand massage without oil or lotion.
Reflexology relies on an ancient Chinese belief in qi or vital energy. It may help you relax and ease stress, promoting the body’s natural healing processes. It also can alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, relieve menopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, and improve sleep and mood. However, scientific studies are limited and need to be more conclusive. The theory behind reflexology is that stimulating the feet helps balance your nervous system, which may positively affect the rest of your body.
Acting Techniques
A technique in which a massage therapist or bodyworker uses his hands to apply pressure to the client’s muscles. This pressure is aimed to help release adhesions and tension and promote blood flow to an area.
A theory states that non-noxious stimuli can reduce the brain’s ability to perceive pain by blocking the receptors in the skin that send harmful signals to the brain. Rubbing the fingers to reduce pain is an example of this theory.
A therapeutic massage induces a relaxation response in the body. This state causes the heart rate and blood pressure to decrease while the body releases feel-good hormones to promote calmness and reduce anxiety and stress. This is often achieved through kneading, effleurage, and tapotement. Ayurveda is an ancient healing system that includes massage, herbal remedies, aromatherapy, dietary changes, and yoga. Ayurvedic massage is often combined with acupuncture. Ayurvedic massage is also called Ayurvedic bodywork or Ayurvedic manipulation.
Art Mediums
Artists use a variety of art mediums to create their works. Painting is a common art medium that can be done with various materials, such as oils, watercolors, and acrylics. Artists can also combine various art mediums to create mixed media pieces.
Traditionally, the term medium has been used to distinguish between different types of arts. Typically, artists specialize in a particular medium for most — if not all — of their careers.
However, the idea of the artistic medium has evolved in recent years. Artists increasingly use different tools and techniques to challenge the traditional perception of the medium.